Education

Research Description

Dr. Kim's research interests are in pavement design and rehabilitation, bituminous materials, pavement preservation, nondestructive evaluation of pavements, and performance modeling.

Honors and Awards

• The Alcoa Foundation Engineering Research Achievement Award, 1998

Publications

Fatigue performance analysis of pavements with RAP using viscoelastic continuum damage theory

Wang, Y. D., Keshavarzi, B., & Kim, Y. R. (2018), KSCE Journal of Civil Engineering, 22(6), 2118–2125. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-018-2648-0

Spray injection patching for pothole repair using 100 percent reclaimed asphalt pavement

Kwon, B. J., Kim, D., Rhee, S. K., & Kim, Y. R. (2018), Construction and Building Materials, 166, 445–451. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2018.01.145

Utilizing digital image correlation (DIC) in asphalt pavement testing

Safavizadeh, S. A., Wargo, A., & Kim, Y. R. (2018), Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 46(3), 984–998. https://doi.org/10.1520/jte20160262

Addressing raveling resistance in chip seal specifications

Adams, J., Castorena, C., Im, J. H., Ilias, M., & Kim, Y. R. (2017), Transportation Research Record, (2612), 39–46. https://doi.org/10.3141/2612-05

Application of time-temperature superposition principle on fatigue failure analysis of asphalt binder

Wang, C., Castrorena, C., Zhang, J. X., & Kim, Y. R. (2017), Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 29(1). https://doi.org/10.1061/(asce)mt.1943-5533.0001730

Characterization of permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures with minimum strain rate, LVECD program, and triaxial stress sweep test

Kim, D., & Kim, Y. R. (2017), Transportation Research Record, (2631), 96–104. https://doi.org/10.3141/2631-11

Comparing the performance of fiberglass grid with composite interlayer systems in asphalt concrete

Wargo, A., Safavizadeh, S. A., & Kim, Y. R. (2017), Transportation Research Record, (2631), 123–132.

DIC technique to investigate crack propagation in grid-reinforced asphalt specimens

Safavizadeh, S. A., & Kim, Y. R. (2017), Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 29(6).

Determination of dynamic modulus values of asphalt mixtures using impact resonance testing of thin disk specimens

Kim, D., & Kim, Y. R. (2017), Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 45(2), 509–520. https://doi.org/10.1520/jte20150076

Determining specimen geometry of cylindrical specimens for direct tension fatigue testing of asphalt concrete

Lee, J. S., Norouzi, A., & Kim, Y. R. (2017), Journal of Testing and Evaluation, 45(2), 613–623. https://doi.org/10.1520/jte20140357

View all publications via NC State Libraries

Grants

TOPR for Performance Related Specifications Advances Quality Assurance for Pavements

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)(8/02/18 - 8/01/20)

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TOPR for Performance Related Specifications Advances Quality Assurance for Pavements

Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Start Date: 8/02/18

End Date: 8/01/20

Abstract

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has fully supported Quality Assurance (QA) and advancing components of QA for many years. One of those components is Performance-Related Specifications (PRS). As the PRS efforts have advanced additional needs have been identified in order to complete an further advance the research further. This project will serve to further develop, improve, and validate the developed relationships for the PRS. A number of tasks will be completed in order to meet the following specific objectives: • Development of Level 1 Performance Engineered Mix Design (PEMD) method and threshold values for Level 2 PEMD index parameters • Performance testing for transfer functions to support PEMD for PRS • Comparison of Balance Mix Design (BMD) and PEMD testing for PRS • Advance in a collaborative approach for FLEXPave™ PRS models utilizing existing calibrations for AASHTOware Pavement ME™. • PRS training and shadow projects. • Coordination with existing PRS research for the development of a comprehensive written marketing plan. • Interim stakeholders PRS Status Meeting. • Under this task, the team shall create a system of tools including guidelines and sample specifications for agencies to transition from the traditional QA standard specifications to standard PRS.

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Development of Geosynthetic Pavement Interlayer Improvements

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/18 - 7/31/20)

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Development of Geosynthetic Pavement Interlayer Improvements

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/18

End Date: 7/31/20

Abstract

Although geosynthetics have been used in paving applications for well over fifty years, one area of critical need in North Carolina is the standardization of the materials themselves and their applications for actual pavements. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has been working with the Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) to develop a Special Provision for an improved geosynthetic pavement interlayer material and a distress chart to provide useful data for product selection. The main goal of this effort is to ensure that NCDOT engineers can choose appropriate geosynthetic pavement interlayer products for a specific application based on performance data. As part of this effort, the GMA has recently developed five standard categories of geosynthetic materials for pavement applications. Although these categories provide the NCDOT with a good foundation to build the Special Provision and the distress chart, further research is needed to identify a list of properties and performance criteria that products must meet in order to perform adequately for their intended function.

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Ruggedness and Interlaboratory Studies for Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) Cylcic Fatigue test

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)(9/28/17 - 3/27/20)

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Ruggedness and Interlaboratory Studies for Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT) Cylcic Fatigue test

Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Start Date: 9/28/17

End Date: 3/27/20

Abstract

AASHTO TP 107 enables the practical, mechanistic performance characterization of asphalt concrete using cyclic fatigue testing in the Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT). AASHTO TP 107 was initially developed for the use of 100-mm diameter specimens, which yield a single test specimen per gyratory sample. Recently, a modified version of AASHTO TP 107 was proposed for the testing of 38-mm diameter small specimens that improves the efficiency of specimen fabrication and enables the testing of field cores extracted from as-built pavement layers. The objective of the proposed research is to improve AASHTO TP 107 by conducting ruggedness and interlaboratory studies using both small and large specimens. The ruggedness evaluation will identify controllable experimental factors that significantly affect the test results and to establish limits for their control. The interlaboratory study will lead to precision statements that define the repeatability and reproducibility of small and large cyclic fatigue the test results.

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Development of a Tack Coat Quality Control Program for Mitigating Delamination in Asphalt Pavement Layers

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/17 - 12/31/19)

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Development of a Tack Coat Quality Control Program for Mitigating Delamination in Asphalt Pavement Layers

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/17

End Date: 12/31/19

Abstract

The importance of proper bonding at the asphalt concrete (AC) layer interface cannot be overemphasized when discussing the performance of AC pavements. A strong bond between the layers is critical to dissipate shear stress throughout the entire pavement structure. In contrast, insufficient bonding may cause slippage and debonding between the asphalt layers. To mitigate the debonding distress, the type, quantity, and quality of the tack coat materials that are applied between asphalt layers need to be addressed properly.

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Implementation of Shadow Performance-Related Specifications on an Asphalt Paving Project

NC Department of Transportation(11/01/16 - 12/31/19)

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Implementation of Shadow Performance-Related Specifications on an Asphalt Paving Project

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 11/01/16

End Date: 12/31/19

Abstract

This project will implement the performance-related specifications currently being developed by the PI from the FHWA project (557884) to a paving project in North Carolina. The PRS will be implemented as a shadow specification to evaluate the efficiency and feasibility of the testing program.

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Backcalculation of Dynamic Modulus from Falling Weight Deflectometer Data

NC Department of Transportation(8/01/16 - 12/31/19)

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Backcalculation of Dynamic Modulus from Falling Weight Deflectometer Data

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/01/16

End Date: 12/31/19

Abstract

The dynamic modulus (|E*|) is the main parameter that is used in modeling pavement responses in the Pavement ME Design program. Therefore, the rehabilitation design feature of the Pavement ME program requires the determination of the |E*| values of existing asphalt layers. The Pavement ME guide recommends three different approaches to determine the |E*| values of existing asphalt layers. The Level 1 and Level 2 approaches require the use of the Witczak’s predictive equation, which could result in up to 100 percent error. The Level 3 approach also has a high probability of yielding erroneous results because it is based on pavement condition survey data.

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Development of Small Specimen Geometry for Asphalt Mixture Performance Testing

National Academy of Sciences(1/01/15 - 6/30/17)

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Development of Small Specimen Geometry for Asphalt Mixture Performance Testing

Sponsor: National Academy of Sciences

Start Date: 1/01/15

End Date: 6/30/17

Abstract

The specific innovation to be developed is a small specimen geometry for uniaxial asphalt mixture dynamic modulus and direct tension fatigue testing in the Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester (AMPT). Two small specimen geometries will be tried: a small cylindrical geometry consisting of 38mm diameter specimens with 100mm height and a small prismatic geometry 25mm thick, by 50mm wide, by 100mm tall. Both uniaxial cyclic, direct tension and monotonic direct tension (constant strain rate) testing for fatigue characterization will be considered. The small specimen geometry will allow for testing individual layers of as-built pavements, allowing for forensic investigations of field performance and performance-based construction quality assurance. In addition, use of small specimens can greatly improve laboratory prepared mixture testing efficiency by allowing for extraction of multiple small test specimens from a single gyratory sample. Fatigue performance evaluation will be facilitated by applying the Viscoelastic Continuum Damage (VECD) mechanics to fatigue test results.

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Chip Seal Construction Variability and Its Impact on Performance

NC Department of Transportation(8/16/14 - 8/15/17)

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Chip Seal Construction Variability and Its Impact on Performance

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/16/14

End Date: 8/15/17

Abstract

The review of the existing construction procedures and the discovery of inaccuracies with regard to the material rates applied in the field have revealed a clear need for significant improvement in the construction equipment and material application methods that are currently in use for the construction of chip seal surface treatments. Specifically, the existing construction methods do not allow for the accurate control of the emulsion application rates (EARs) and aggregate application rates (AARs) in the field construction. This problem of rate control can lead to construction variability that, in turn, leads to chip seal performance problems and also wastes critical NCDOT pavement preservation funding. The objectives of the proposed research are: (1) to identify the sources of construction and material variability in chip seal construction; (2) to determine the range of the variability and the impact of the variability on the performance of chip seals; (3) to identify those variables that have the most significant impact on chip seal performance; and (4) to identify methods to reduce the variability of these key variables and to test for performance. The proposed research will employ both field construction and sampling efforts as well as a laboratory experimental testing plan to identify and quantify the variability associated with chip seal construction.

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Comparing Performance of Full Depth Asphalt Pavements and Aggregate Base Pavements in NC

NC Department of Transportation(8/16/14 - 7/31/17)

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Comparing Performance of Full Depth Asphalt Pavements and Aggregate Base Pavements in NC

Sponsor: NC Department of Transportation

Start Date: 8/16/14

End Date: 7/31/17

Abstract

The objectives of the proposed research are: (1) to provide important performance information regarding asphalt base and aggregate base pavements that can be used to update the NCDOT’s life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) procedure, (2) to identify pavement sections that have both base types in order to recalibrate ME Design for North Carolina conditions, and (3) to develop guidelines for the recalibration of ME Design and demonstrate the data collection process using new paving projects.  

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Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)(9/01/13 - 9/01/14)

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Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program

Sponsor: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Start Date: 9/01/13

End Date: 9/01/14

Abstract

Fellowship

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